Rabobank’s history of innovation

SUREPAY

FOUNDED: 2016

HEADQUARTERS: UTRECHT, NL

This Dutch fintech is a prime example of innovation beginning with a big idea before honing down on something more specific. Originally launched within the bank with the aim of creating a huge alias database, it soon pivoted to creating a system that conducts an IBAN name check. Today, it is the name-number check done in the Netherlands, as well as multiple European countries. Its two founders, David-Jan Janse and Marcel Rienties, left Rabobank to launch SurePay as a standalone entity, and now the company is in the midst of accelerating growth. Rabobank retains a share in SurePay, having chosen to bring on board a co-investor who could help make it even bigger.

PEAKS

FOUNDED: 2016

HEADQUARTERS: AMSTERDAM, NL

Peaks, the retail investing app that allows consumers to invest in ETFs and ETPs, is a good example of Rabobank realising that its continued ownership would not bring out the best from the brand. An internal startup, Peaks was one of the first innovations that Rabobank invested majorly into, before reaching the conclusion that the business model Peaks was pursuing would need a new owner – one with a European retail presence larger than Rabobank could offer. Rabobank eventually sold its stake in 2021.

Datakeeper

FOUNDED: 2019

HEADQUARTERS: UTRECHT, NL

Another of Rabobank’s own initiatives, Datakeeper is a Dutch startup that’s focused on secure and privacy-by-design identification and data sharing of a.o. address, passport, income and pension data. With the Datakeeper identity wallet app, customers can quickly, easily and securely share the exact personal data that businesses need from them for onboarding (KYC) or accessing services. With the rise of Web3, Rabobank’s Bart Leurs says that the use-case for this kind of technology is going to grow in the coming years. It makes sense for Rabobank to be involved, he says, because the bank has been taking care of data and money for 125 years.

Foodbytes

FOUNDED: 2015

HEADQUARTERS: NEW YORK CITY, US & UTRECHT, NL

Foodbytes by Rabobank is an online connection hub for corporates, investors and startups in the food and agri world. What began as a live pitch event has evolved into a digital marketplace where startups and multinationals can discover and collaborate together. This initiative uses Rabobank’s global ecosystem to connect the food value chain and strengthen the future of our planet. “We’re really proud of Foodbytes because it fits the nature of our organisation and the mission that we have,” Leurs says.